Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

What is TANF?

TANF provides temporary financial assistance to eligible families with children. The family receives a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs.

Who is Eligible?

Family must be financially needy.

Child must be under age 18, and will graduate from high school before the age of 19.

Child is going to school regularly if he is between the ages 5 and 18.

Child is living with a parent or other relative.

Is a citizen of the U.S. or an eligible immigrant.

A child will not be eligible if born to or adopted by a TANF recipient more than 10 months after an applicant begins to receive TANF. The Division of Child Supports Enforcement (DCSE) will send all support collected for this child directly to the family. This support will not count as income in the TANF program.

How much assistance can a family receive?

The amount of the TANF check is based on the size of the family. A family may still be eligible to receive TANF while receiving money from other benefits. Families in the VIEW program may receive earned income plus a TANF check if the total income is less than the federal poverty level for their family size.

How long can a family receive TANF?

A family who has someone in VIEW may receive TANF for no longer than 24 months followed by a period of ineligibility. A family may receive TANF no longer than 60 months in a lifetime.

Can a minor parent receive TANF?

An unmarried minor parent (under 18) must live with his parents, a close relative, a legal guardian, or a person acting as a parent to receive TANF. The parents may be required to help their child and grandchild financially. A minor parent must attend school until he graduates from high school or gets his GED.

What should I bring with me to apply?

Birth certificates for children

Social security number for ALL applicants

Provide verification of:

Residence

All Income/Benefits/Child Support/Child Care

Resources (Bank accounts, property, life insurance)

NOTE: Interviews are daily except Wednesday afternoon.

Welfare-to-Work Program

Administered in partnership with Opportunity Inc. and the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Eligibility is based on existence of a documented barrier to employment (long term receipt of public assistance, educational deficits, substance abuse issues, poor work history).

Non custodial parents are eligible if they possess one of the barriers to employment and custodial parent is a TANF recipient or former recipient.

Substance abuse counseling.

Paid work experience which enables participants to develop a work history and obtain references for future job applications.

Emergency Assistance (EA) under the TANF Program

Applications for TANF are available through the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services, 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd., Monday - Friday, on a first come, first serve basis.